Actor’s Spotlight: John Goodman

John Goodman is no stranger to the big screen. He is an award-winning film, television and stage actor.

Goodman was born on June 20, 1952 in St. Louis, Missouri to Leslie Francis Goodman and Virginia Roos. He is of Irish, English, Welsh and German ancestry. He went to Affton High School in St. Louis, where he played football and dabbled in theater. He received a football scholarship to attend Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. He soon discovered the drama program at the institution and studied there with two other notable figures, Kathleen Turner and Tees Harper whom he is still friends with today. He graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in 1975.

Goodman made the decision to become a professional actor after a football injury ended his career. He then left Missouri to go to New York City in 1975. He soon found success doing voice-overs, commercials and plays. He also performed off-Broadway and in dinner theaters before landing character roles in films during the 1980s. In 1985, he originated the role of Pap Finn in the film Big River. He also has a long history of appearances on late night comedy shows such as Late Night with Conan O’Brien where he was the first guest to ever appear on the show. He has also hosted Saturday Night Live 13 times. Goodman is most known for his role as Dan Conner on the sitcom Roseanne. Some of his other big name titles include The Flintstones, The Emperor’s New Groove, Monster’s Inc., The Princess and the Frog, Futurama, The West Wing, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, O Brother, Where Art Thou and A Christmas Carol.

Goodman has won a host of awards for his appearances in movies and sitcoms. In 1997, he was added to the St. Louis Walk of Fame. He is also a Golden Globe Award winner for Best Actor (1993), Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (2007) and on August 10, 2013, he was inducted as a Disney Legend.

He now resides in New Orleans, Louisiana with his wife Anna Beth and their daughter Molly Evangeline Goodman. Goodman is still involved in the community as he participates in various charity projects in New Orleans.